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Tomorrow, registered voters across the state will be able to exercise one of the most precious privileges democracy grants us – the opportunity to determine who will represent them in their government.
And though local voters have no local contests to decide, the first-in-the-South Republican primary will determine who will be on the Republican presidential ticket this fall.
Voters will choose between these GOP presidential hopefuls:
u Former U.S. Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich
u Texas Congressman Ron Paul
u Texas Gov. Rick Perry

The Republican primary season is in high gear in South Carolina, evidenced both by the number of campaign signs popping up like mushrooms in area yards and the number of presidential hopefuls racing around the state.
This week, GOP presidential hopeful Texas Gov. Rick Perry made two stops in Lancaster County – both to talk with senior voters. He stopped Tuesday morning at Sun City Carolina Lakes, where he spoke at the Lake House, then stopped to have lunch with the Retired Council of the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce at Charley’s Cafe.

In more than two decades of service as the director of the Lancaster County Voter Registration and Election Commission Office, Cassie Stump has seen plenty.
During her 20 years with the county, Stump has seen voting go from the use of paper ballots to the now easier-to-use touch screens at the various county precincts.
“Now we have electronic voting equipment, which is so easy to us,” said Stump, who retired from her duties Dec. 30.

Giving back. We hear these familiar words often, especially during the holidays.
But the holiday season affords us a chance to live those words.
In Lancaster County, the opportunities are endless. Take your pick because there are several ways you can help someone less fortunate.
What about the Angel Tree? Often during this time of year with its hectic schedule, you might be dining out at an area restaurant. If so, look for an Angel Tree. Look over the tree and find a way to make a difference for a child.

Today is Black Friday, the official beginning of our nation’s frenzied holiday shopping season. Retailers everywhere have been gearing up for this day for months, hoping to draw in shoppers with once-a-year deals.
Now that the holiday shopping season is in full swing, we’d like to remind shoppers to Think Lancaster First before heading to malls outside the county to do their holiday shopping.

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, the traditional kickoff of our holiday season.
Our national day of giving thanks dates back to 1621 in Massachusetts, where we believe the Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated a successful harvest with food and festivities.
Given our economic situation, some in modern-day America may find it difficult to give thanks, but we still have much to be thankful for – health and family and freedom, to name a few.

There’s plenty of activities here to honor Veterans Day in Lancaster.
It should be.
Veterans Day is the time our nation, from Main Street, USA to Washington and across our county, to salute military veterans.
The federal holiday is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world and falls on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I.

Halloween, sometimes known as Fright Night, is tomorrow. To make sure the night is truly not a scary ordeal, be sure that safety is part of the plans for the night.
The night belongs to youngsters and safety should be observed with the little ones in mind. Before they head out, there are certain situations to consider.

O ne in eight. That’s the likelihood of a woman in the United States getting invasive breast cancer in her lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org. That is an alarming statistic. All of us know someone who has breast cancer – be it a family member, friend or acquaintance.
On Sunday, we introduced you to Jan Hicks – a two-time breast cancer survivor. As a registered nurse and case manager for Springs Memorial Hospital, Hicks is all too familiar with cancer’s impact on those diagnosed with the devastating disease and their loved ones.

The recent Lancaster County Board of Zoning Appeals vote to overturn the county decision on the nonconforming-use status of Thomas Concrete left us scratching our heads.
What looked like a simple case of a plant losing its grandfathered status, and thus its right to operate, got a lot more complicated at the Oct. 11 BZA hearing.